To continue the countdown to Chelsea blue taking on Canary yellow today, club historian Rick Glanvill and club statistician Paul Dutton are joined by former player Clive Walker…
TACTICAL BRIEFThe league leaders aim to avoid a first defeat against Norwich since 1994 and take a three-point lead at the top into the international break. Former Blues winger Clive Walker weighs up how that may be achieved.
Key battles'I think Robbie Di Matteo deserves a lot of credit for the way he has picked the right team for most occasions so far,' says Clive. 'It is still early days and there is lots of hard work still to do but he has been able to set out a good tactical line-up to get the result while giving the right players game time or a rest.
'It's about getting points in the bag, the ultimate goal being to win the Premier League. From what I have seen so far I reckon we've got a chance of winning it. The players have got to believe, and the fans too. Winning the title back would be the ultimate after last year.
'John Terry is still the best central defender at the club but he was given the night off on Tuesday and we still kept a clean sheet away to what was a talented Nordsjaelland team.
'I imagine JT will be back in the team on Saturday because although any two from the three centre-halves is a good one, you want your captain leading, organising and keeping it solid.
'Norwich have not been setting the world on fire in front of goal but they have some quality upfront. Last season pundits were calling for Grant Holt to be called up for Euro 2012, and he scored against us here, after a mix-up between Henrique Hilario and Branislav Ivanovic.
'He's a big, powerful lad and he will have the bit between his teeth after scoring against Liverpool. Steve Morison too, and he's a similarly burly sort of player. Norwich will be looking for the ball behind for the forwards to run on to.
'The new boy Simeon Jackson is quicker and more mobile and has been partnering Holt upfront in a 4-4-2, but they switched to a 4-2-3-1 when the Ghanaian, Alexander Tettey, was put on in midfield and I think that's how they'll set up on Saturday.
'Paul Lambert came here and attacked, but I can see Chris Hughton thinking safety first is the best policy when you visit Stamford Bridge. It may be another Stoke, where everyone - players, crowd - have to remain patient and whoever has the chance must take it, just like Ashley Cole did.
'It really helps if you're knocking them in from set plays. You have that extra confidence every time there's a dead-ball situation and the opposition are nervous too.
'Let's be honest we haven't been scoring many free kicks in recent seasons and fans love to see more of a threat there. It's those moments that can swing a tough match. Long may it continue.
'I would have thought Tettey will be a defensive anchor in midfield, and that will be his first Premier League start since switching from Rennes in the French league. He will have his work cut out, whoever Robbie selects to play in that forward three behind Fernando Torres. I wouldn't want to face that lot straight away - any visitor making their debut against us is perfect.
'Norwich know they will have to deal with loads of pace, energy and quick passes. If they're not careful they will be giving away fouls in very dangerous areas. We saw that last week - and that was against Arsenal, who are a top side.
'Juan Mata especially stands out at the moment. When he is on the ball he uses it very well. He's making and scoring the goals too. That rest he had has given him a new lease of life.
'For a young man Oscar does a job for the team, like limiting Mikel Arteta's contribution last Saturday, and he may have a slightly freer role against Norwich, especially if Mikel - who is having an excellent season - returns as expected. The system change, with two in there, has made him a much, much better player.
'This might be a chance for Brana to have a break - he has played every minute in the league and Champions League so far and may play for Serbia next week too. We saw Cesar Azpilicueta's all-round qualities as a right-back against Wolves and the fans took to him straight away. Having said that the management may be reluctant to break up a full-back pairing that is working so well.
'One thing Robbie and his staff might consider, though, is that City's Javier Garrido had a bit of a nightmare last time he was here with Man City, a few years back.
'We beat them 6-0 and he was pretty much at fault on every goal. Hughton will not want him switching off like he did then, but a tricky player down our right might cause him problems.'
Squad news:
Daniel Sturridge's hamstring injury will keep the striker out for one more game. He is expected to be fit for the next match after the international break.
For Norwich defender Sebastien Bassong (hamstring) and wideman Anthony Pilkington (back) could return.
Full-back Steven Whittaker is out with an ankle injury and striker Harry Kane, on-loan from Spurs, has a broken metatarsal.
WorldFootball Ticket Exchange is purely dedicated for football tickets. It provides Football Tickets for football fans for their favorite football teams
No comments:
Post a Comment